Biochemistry (BCHM)

Abstract

The Graduate Program in Biochemistry offers study leading to Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees. The program emphasizes intensive mentoring, formal and informal training in presentation skills, scientific writing, bioinformatics, teaching chemistry and biochemistry, and professional ethics. Research specialization is available in protein structure, dynamics, and function; protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interaction; protein and nucleic acid biochemistry; RNA and DNA structure, dynamics, interactions, and function; macromolecular folding and supramolecular assembly; biomolecular nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography; proteomics, metabolomics mass spectrometry; membrane proteins, protein-lipid interaction, membrane structure and function; carbohydrate chemistry, glycobiology; immunology; bio-organic chemistry; post-translational protein modification and signaling; metabolic regulation; enzyme mechanisms; drug metabolism. Several of the biochemistry program faculty are members of the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR) or other Related Programs and Campus Units listed below. Further information about the Biochemistry Graduate Program can be found at https://www.chem.umd.edu/graduateprogram/phdinbiochemistry and http://www.chem.umd.edu/.

Financial Assistance

Ph.D. candidates are normally supported on graduate teaching assistantships during their first year as graduate students. Teaching assistants usually instruct undergraduate laboratory and recitation classes and receive in return a tuition waiver of ten credits each semester, salary, and health care benefits. Ph.D. candidates are normally supported in subsequent years on graduate research assistantships. Financial support is not generally available to M.S. candidates.

General Requirements

Program-Specific Requirements

Letters of Recommendation (3)

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

CV/Resume

Description of Research/Work Experience

GRE Subject (optional/highly recommended)

Admission to graduate study in Biochemistry at the University of Maryland requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or equivalent degree. Applications are normally accepted only from Ph.D.-seeking students. The area in which the undergraduate degree has been earned need not be chemistry or biochemistry, but previous coursework must normally include a minimum of 30 semester or 40 quarter hours of chemistry, including at least 1 year of general chemistry, 1 year of organic chemistry and 1 semester of biochemistry, as well as laboratory courses in organic chemistry and biochemistry. A course in physical chemistry and a laboratory course in analytical chemistry are also desirable. Typical overall grade point averages for successful applicants are 3.0 or greater (on a scale where the average grade is 2.0), and averages in science and math courses are generally higher than this. Three letters of reference indicating a potential for independent, creative scientific research are also required.

The competition for available space may limit admissions to persons with credentials above these minimum requirements.